National Conference (NC) Sarpanch killed in Pattan area of Baramulla district; Jammu and Kashmir to witness reduction in Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) presence; Chief Minister Omar Abdullah chairs the state cabinet meeting at Machil, the remotest vi
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    • According to reports, suspected militants shot dead a Sarpanch of ruling National Conference (NC) in Pattan area of Baramulla district on September 10. Ghulam Muhammad Yatoo, Sarpanch of Palhallan village was shot dead after he came out of a local mosque. According to a senior police officer, initial investigations revealed that the attackers were two. After the incident, contingents of Army and Special Operations Group (SOG) of Kashmir police cordoned off the area. 1

    Reports noted that on the directions of Union Ministry of Home Affairs, there would be a gradual withdrawal of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) from the Valley and Jammu regions while the J&K police cops would serve as the replacement. In the coming fortnight or so, the CRPF officials said they are withdrawing one battalion from Srinagar. A senior police officer said that CRPF would be replaced by the Indian Reserve Police (IRP) of J&K Police and there is a proposal of immediate raising of some more IRP battalions in near future. It would be worth noting that presently, 52 CRPF battalions are operating in Kashmir valley. Amongst them, 25 battalions are operating in Srinagar district while 27 battalions are deployed in other districts of north, south and central Kashmir. 2

    Meanwhile, according to reports, as a part of his decentralization policy and commitment to take government at the doorsteps of people, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah on September 12 chaired the state cabinet meeting at Machil, the remotest village in hilly district of Kupwara in Northern Kashmir. According to an official handout, holding of cabinet meeting in remote areas is aimed at ascertaining the problems confronting people in these areas and taking first hand appraisal of development needs. This also provides opportunity to the Cabinet Ministers and top brass in the Administration to interact with people and have personal assessment of the problems and requirements in these areas. 3

    Reports noted that Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked the state Government to facilitate the rehabilitation and integration of former militants in Jammu and Kashmir, detailing out the steps needed to be taken in this direction. The development comes in the wake of reports that several former militants have rejoined militant ranks. The MHA communication to J&K Government outlines that the project has been targeted for rehabilitation of 1700 surrendered militants and their families during the initial phase of two years. MHA has asked the state Government to handle the program with utmost care to avoid it being dubbed as exclusively for surrendered militants and instead project it as development intervention for violence affected. 4

    According to reports, Vice-President of India, Muhammad Hamid Ansari arrived in Srinagar on September 14 for a five-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir. The Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had one on one meeting with the visiting dignitary on September 14 evening at Raj Bhawan.
    Matters relating to the development of Jammu and Kashmir came up for discussion in the meeting. Present political scenario and achievements on restoration of peace and tranquility were also discussed in the meeting. This is Ansari’s first visit to Kashmir since his re-election as Vice-President last month. 5

    In other developments, Police on September 13 claimed to have arrested a top militant commander Mehraj-ud-Din Dand, wanted for his involvement in the 1999 hijacking of flight IC-814 to Kandahar. According to police Dand was picked up from an undisclosed location on the Jammu-Srinagar highway. Inspector General of Police (Jammu zone) Dilbag Singh said Mehraj-ud-Din was arrested on September 12 night after police got inputs that he was on his way from Nepal to the Kashmir Valley. 6

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